Environmental monitoring system and method with a prefilter

ABSTRACT

Various environmental systems are disclosed. In accordance with one of the systems, a first and second valve are provided. The valves provide a first air flow path from an air pump to a photo-ionization detector is provided through a pre-filter. The valves also provide a second air flow path from the air pump to the photo-ionization detector so that the pre-filter is isolated from its environmental surroundings. Various other arrangements of environmental monitoring systems with one or more pre-filters are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Photo-ionization detectors (PIDs), flame-ionization detectors (FIDs) andrelated volatile gas detection devices are well-established,commercially available product designs capable of measuring the totalairborne concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present inthe inlet air of the device. Such devices are offered by a number ofmanufacturers. For example, RAE Systems offers a range of PIDs, andPhotovac and Thermo Fisher each offer both a PID and an FID. Some ofthese devices rely on the ionization properties of VOCs to create ameasureable signal that can be correlated to the concentration of thesecompounds.

The PID related volatile gas detection devices sample air continuously,using a pump to induce a precisely regulated flow through the device.Hence, the measurement of total VOC concentration can be in real-timeand continuously updated. Modern PIDs are typically equipped with acomputer interface, including a physical data port and a set ofprogramming instructions. This allows the user to create custom softwarethat operates the PID and acquires VOC measurements and other data fromthe PID.

As an adjunct to the PID, a pre-filter can be employed to preventinterfering VOCs from entering the inlet airflow of the PID, permittingonly a specific VOC, or set of VOCs, of interest to pass into the PID.The pre-filter is placed in the inlet air stream of the PID so that thefiltering action occurs prior to the measurement of the air sample.This, in turn will permit the PID's measurement of a VOC to reflect onlythe concentration of the specific compound of interest. Such pre-filtersare commercially available, for example from Draeger or RAE Sytems, andare used to monitor the concentration of benzene or other substances ofinterest. These pre-filters physically trap other, interfering VOCs thatare not to be measured, preventing those compounds from being detectedby the PID.

Nevertheless, there are challenges and constraints associated with theproper usage of pre-filters. Such pre-filters typically have a finiteservice life and will eventually become invalid after prolonged exposureto the atmosphere, due to saturation by VOCs and to effects oftemperature and humidity. They are thus perishable items that must bereplaced when no longer suitable for service. The duration of the validservice life of a given pre-filter will depend on various factors, suchas the specific chemical constituents and their concentrations in theambient air to which the pre-filter is exposed, the cumulative volume ofair that flows through the pre-filter, the duration of exposure of thepre-filter, and the ambient temperature and humidity.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,498 discloses a device for the selective detectionof a component in a gas mixture, or a pre-filter that is useful in thevarious aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY

A photo-ionization detector (PID), flame ionization detector (FID) orother viable volatile gas detector can be used in conjunction with acompound-specific pre-filter to produce a direct measurement of theairborne concentration of the compound of interest, for example Benzene.Since such pre-filters have a finite service life due to contaminationand/or saturation, they must be utilized on a limited basis and undercontrolled conditions. This invention presents techniques forautomatically initiating operation of a PID/filter configuration uponthe occurrence of a triggering event, for example a threshold level oftotal volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration or some otherprocess measurement. These techniques will enable real-time measurementof the concentration of a specific compound, for a finite durationdependent on the performance of the pre-filter. Moreover, thesetechniques can be fully automated via a computer interface to the PID.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system formonitoring an environment is provided. The system includes a first valvehaving an inlet that is adapted to receive air from the environment anda first and second outlet, a second valve having a first and secondinlet and an outlet, the first inlet being connected to the first outletof the first valve, a pre-filter connected between the second outlet ofthe first valve and the first inlet of the second valve, the pre-filterselectively preventing one or more compounds from the environment frompassing further through the airflow network, and a detector having aninlet connected to the outlet of the second valve, the detectordetermining a concentration of one or more volatile organic compounds inreal-time. The first valve and the second valve are configured to eitherallow air flow from the first outlet of the first valve through thesecond valve to the detector or from the second outlet of the firstvalve through the pre-filter to the first inlet of the second valve tothe detector.

The detector is selected from the group consisting of a photo ionizationdetector, a flame ionization detector, a spectrophotometer and anelectrochemical detector.

The system may include a computerized monitoring system connected to thevalves that transmits one or more control signals to the first valve andthe second valve to control positions of the first valve and the secondvalve.

The system may also include a sensor connected to the computerizedmonitoring system wherein a status of the sensor determines the one ormore control signals.

The system may also include an air pump connected to the inlet of thefirst valve or to the outlet of the PID. In either case, the air pumphelps create the proper airflow through the system.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the system may alsoinclude a second pre-filter having an inlet connected to a third outletof the first valve and an outlet connected to a third inlet of thesecond valve, wherein the first valve and the second valve areconfigured to either allow air flow from the first outlet of the firstvalve through the second valve to the detector or from the second outletof the first valve through the pre-filter to the first inlet of thesecond valve to the detector or from the third outlet of the first valvethrough the second pre-filter to the third inlet of the second valve tothe detector. In accordance with a further aspect of the presentinvention, they system may also include a third pre-filter having aninlet connected to a fourth outlet of the first valve and an outletconnected to a fourth inlet of the second valve, wherein the first valveand the second valve are configured to either allow air flow from thefirst outlet of the first valve through the second valve to the detectoror from the second outlet of the first valve through the pre-filter tothe first inlet of the second valve to the detector or from the thirdoutlet of the first valve through the second pre-filter to the thirdinlet of the second valve to the detector or from the fourth outlet ofthe first valve through the third pre-filter to the fourth inlet of thesecond valve to the detector.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present system, anenvironmental monitoring system is provided. The system includes adetector having an inlet, the detector determining a concentration ofone or more volatile organic compounds. It can also include a firstvalve connected to the detector which allows air to flow into thedetector when open and prevents air from flowing into the detector whenclosed. The system further includes a first pre-filter having an inletand an outlet, a second valve connected to the inlet of the firstpre-filter and a third valve connected to the outlet of the firstpre-filter, the second valve being connected to the detector, whereinair flows through the first pre-filter only when the second valve andthe third valve are both open. The system also includes a secondpre-filter having an inlet and an outlet, a fourth valve connected tothe inlet of the second pre-filter and a fifth valve connected to theoutlet of the second pre-filter, the fourth valve being connected to thedetector, wherein air flows through the second pre-filter only when thefourth valve and the fifth valve are both open. The first and secondpre-filters selectively remove one or more compounds from theenvironment. As before, the detector can be selected from the groupconsisting of a photo ionization detector, a flame ionization detector,a spectrophotometer and combinations thereof. Also, an air pump can beprovided upstream of the first valve, the second valve and the fourthvalve. Alternatively, an air pump can be provided at the outlet of thePID. Operationally, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, onlythe first valve is open, only the second and third valves are open oronly the fourth and fifth valves are open. A computerized monitoringsystem can be provided to control the first through fifth valves. Inaccordance with further aspects of the present invention, the system caninclude a third pre-filter having an inlet and an outlet, a sixth valveconnected to the inlet of the third pre-filter and a seventh valveconnected to the outlet of the third pre-filter, the seventh valve beingconnected to the ionization detector, wherein air flows through thethird pre-filter only when the sixth valve and the seventh valve areboth open.

An environmental monitoring system in accordance with another aspect ofthe present invention can include a first air pump inducing flow througha first detector. The first detector determines a concentration of oneor more volatile organic compounds in real-time. The system also caninclude a second air pump inducing flow through a system comprised of afirst check valve that is connected to a pre-filter that is connected toa second valve that is connected to a second detector. The seconddetector determines a concentration of one or more volatile organiccompounds in real-time. The first detector is co-located with the seconddetector. The first detector can be is selected from the groupconsisting of a photo ionization detector, a flame ionization detector,a spectrophotometer and combinations thereof. The second detector canalso be selected from the same group.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a system having block valves and remote activationsignals in accordance with another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a system having a check valve and a remote startsignal in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system having diverter valves and remote activationsignals and second PID in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a system having a plurality of pre-filters and adiverter valve in accordance with another aspect of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a system having a plurality of pre-filters andassociated block valves in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 in accordance with one aspect of thepresent invention. The system uses a single PID 12 with flow diversion.In this configuration, the PID 12 is equipped with a bifurcated inletmanifold 14 in the form of a diverter valve. One branch 16 of themanifold 14 is unobstructed to the inlet of the PID 12, while the otherbranch 18 is routed through a pre-filter 20, as shown.

Air flow is induced through the system by an air pump 24. In practice,the pump can be positioned on the upstream (inlet) side of the systempushing air through, or on the downstream (discharge) side pulling airthrough. Depending on the position of the upstream diverter 22, the airflow is either provided directly to the bifurcated inlet manifold 14 orthrough the pre-filter 20.

The bifurcated inlet manifold 14, the diverter 22 and the pump 24 arereadily available off-the-shelf components. For some commerciallyavailable PIDs, a pump is provided integral to the chassis of thedevice. However, for purposes of this writing, the PID represents theVOC measurement device distinct from the pump that is inducing air flowthrough the system of interest.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, initially, thissystem 10 is in steady-state operation with inlet flow to the PID 12through the open side of the manifold and the PID 12 continuouslymonitors total VOC concentration. Thus, the diverter 22 and thebifurcated inlet manifold 14 are both controlled to be in the positionsindicated in FIG. 1.

The control signals for the diverter 22 and the bifurcated inletmanifold 14 are preferably provided by a computer system 26. Thecomputer system 26 can be part of an environmental monitoring station,and can include servers and individual client stations connected to theservers that may be located remotely from the system 10. The control ofthe diverter 22 and the manifold 14 can be effectuated by processors ineither the server or the client stations, or even a standalone computerco-located with the system 10.

The computer 26 can send control signals to control the diverter 22 andthe manifold 14. These signals can be sent by wire or wirelessly. Ifsent wirelessly, the diverter 22 and the manifold 14 are equipped withan appropriate modem and/or wireless modem to receive the wirelesssignals. The control signals cause the diverter 22 and manifold 14 toswitch to divert flow from the air pump 24 to the pre-filter 20 throughthe manifold 14 to the PID 12. Thus, the diverter valves 22 and 14 areactuated so that inlet flow to the PID 12 is exclusively routed throughthe pre-filter 20. In this configuration, the PID 12 will report onlythe concentration of the substance of interest for which the pre-filter20 is configured.

The activation signals can be sent periodically or on the occurrence ofa triggering event by an alarm 28 or other sensor 30. One such techniquewould be to trigger based on a pre-established threshold of total VOCconcentration measured by the PID 12 of unfiltered flow through theunobstructed branch 16 of the manifold. The triggering signal may beelectrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc., such that it can actuate thediverter valves. This signal may emanate from a computer softwareapplication, another measurement instrument, an alarming device, etc.,as suits the needs of the VOC measurement application. This event maybe, but is not restricted to, a threshold level of total VOCconcentration from the PID in this system. For example, the triggeringevent may be a threshold level of another environmental parameter, orthe occurrence of a specified time of day. The duration for which thePID inlet flow is routed through the pre-filter will also depend on therequirements of the measurement application.

At the conclusion of the measurement using the pre-filter, the inlet tothe PID 12 will switch back to the unfiltered flow, either automaticallyor manually. At the conclusion of the measurement using the pre-filter20, the inlet flow can be routed through the unfiltered leg 16, eitherautomatically or manually, and the diverter valves 14 and 22 can beadjusted so as to isolate the pre-filter 20. The conclusion of themeasurement can be triggered by a computer software application; apre-determined period of time, e.g., a 15-minute exposure test; anothermeasurement instrument; an alarming device, etc.

This system 10 offers the advantage of using the pre-filter 20 only whenneeded and keeping the pre-filter 20 isolated when it is not needed.This expands the life of the pre-filter 20 and significantly improvesthe accuracy and usefulness of the system 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 50 having block valves and remote activationsignals in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. Thissystem 50 uses block valves instead of diverter valves to regulate theflow of air through the pre-filter. In this configuration, the PID 52 isequipped with a bifurcated inlet manifold 54, with one branch of themanifold controlled by block valves 60 and 62, while the other branch iscontrolled by block valve 64.

Air flow is induced through the system by an air pump 53. In practice,the pump can be positioned on the upstream (inlet) side of the systempushing air through, or on the downstream (discharge) side pulling airthrough. Depending on the states of the block valves 60, 62 and 64, theair flow is either provided directly to the unfiltered leg of themanifold 58 or through the pre-filter 56.

Either on a periodic basis or upon occurrence of a triggering event, thecontrol system 70 will cause the block valves 60 and 62 to be opened andthe block valve 64 to become closed, thus permitting air flow throughthe pre-filter 56 and initiating measurement of the concentration of thesubstance of interest by PID 52.

As before, the triggering signal may be electrical, mechanical,hydraulic, etc., such that it can actuate the block valves 60, 62 and64. This triggering signal may emanate from a computer softwareapplication, another measurement instrument 72, an alarming device 74,etc., as suits the needs of the VOC measurement application. This eventmay be, but is not restricted to, a threshold level of total VOCconcentration from the PID 52 in this system. The duration for which thePID 52 inlet flow is routed through the pre-filter 56 will also dependon the requirements of the measurement application.

At the conclusion of the measurement using the pre-filter 56, the inletflow can be routed through the unfiltered leg 58, either automaticallyor manually, by opening block valve 64 and closing the block valves 60and 62 so as to isolate the pre-filter 56. The conclusion of themeasurement can be triggered by a computer software application; apre-determined period of time, e.g., a 15-minute exposure test; anothermeasurement instrument; an alarming device, etc. This event may be, butis not restricted to, a threshold level of total VOC concentration fromthe PID 52 in this system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system 80 in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention. The system 80 includes an air pump 84 connecteddirectly to PID 82. The inlet to the PID 82 can be connected directly tothe outlet of the pre-filter 86, while the inlet side of the pre-filter86 is connected to a check valve 88 that permits flow only toward thepre-filter. A check valve 89 is illustrated connected between thepre-filter 86 and the PID 82. The check valve 89 is optional in thisembodiment of the present invention.

In this system 80, inlet flow to the filtered PID 82 is controlled bystarting the air pump 84, which in turn induces a negative air pressurethrough the PID 82 and pre-filter 86, thus causing the check valve 88 toopen and allow inlet air to be drawn through the system. In thisconfiguration, the PID 82 will report only the concentration of thesubstance of interest for which the pre-filter 86 is configured.

The triggering signal may be electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.,such that it can start the air pump 84. This triggering signal mayemanate from a computer software application which may be located in thecontrol system 90, another measurement instrument 92, an alarming device94, etc., as suits the needs of the VOC measurement application.

At the conclusion of the measurement using the pre-filter 88, the inletflow can be stopped by stopping the air pump, either automatically ormanually. The conclusion of the measurement can be triggered by acomputer software application; a pre-determined period of time, e.g., a15-minute exposure test; another measurement instrument; an alarmingdevice, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system 100 in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention. The system includes a first air pump 102 and a firstPID 104. It also includes a second air pump 106 connected to a firstdiverter valve 108. One outlet of the first diverter valve 108 isconnected to a first inlet of a second diverter valve 110. A secondoutlet of the first diverter valve 108 is connected an inlet of anappropriately selected pre-filter 112. The outlet of the pre-filter 112is connected to a second inlet of the second diverter valve 110. Theoutlet of the second diverter valve 110 is connected to a second PID114. The second PID 114 is preferably controlled by a computer 116, butit may also be manually controlled. The computer 116 can also controlthe diverter valves 108 and 110.

The two PID's 104 and 114 are preferably in close proximity to oneanother, typically adjacent so that their inlet air flow is drawn fromthe same samples. The second PID 114 can be fully operational prior tobeing engaged for filtered service. One advantage of this configurationis that, prior to engaging the filter 112, the two PIDs will bothmeasure the same inlet air sample, thus providing a correlationconsistency check on the accuracy and precision of their VOCmeasurements. As an alternative configuration, this system could beoperated with a single air pump connected to a discharge manifold commonto the outlets of both PIDs.

As before, the triggering signal may be electrical, mechanical,hydraulic, etc., such that it can actuate the diverter valves 108 and110. This triggering signal may emanate from a computer softwareapplication, another measurement instrument, an alarming device, etc.,as suits the needs of the VOC measurement application. This event maybe, but is not restricted to, a threshold level of total VOCconcentration from either PID 104 or PID 114 in this system. Theduration for which the PID 114 inlet flow is routed through thepre-filter 112 will also depend on the requirements of the measurementapplication.

At the conclusion of the measurement using the pre-filter 112, the inletflow can be routed through the unfiltered leg 118 of the inlet to PID114, either automatically or manually, so as to isolate the pre-filter112. The conclusion of the measurement can be triggered by a computersoftware application; a pre-determined period of time, e.g., a 15-minuteexposure test; another measurement instrument; an alarming device, etc.This event may be, but is not restricted to, a threshold level of totalVOC concentration from PID 104 in this system. The sensors 118 and 120can provide the start and stop control signals for each of the devicesin FIG. 4.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, ameasurement system 120 could be configured with two or more multiplepre-filters. FIG. 5 illustrates the system 120 having three pre-filters122, 124 and 126. These multiple pre-filters 122, 124 and 126 arearranged in such a manner that the valves 128 and 130 could select aspecific filter on a given occasion. This would enable multipleoccurrences of filtered VOC measurement before the need to replaceexpended filters. The valves are capable of isolating all but one flowpath from the optional air pump 132 to the PID 134.

In this configuration, the pre-filters 122, 124 and 126 can be all thesame type of pre-filter. In this case, the interval for performingmaintenance on the system 120 is reduced because the pre-filters 122,124 and 126 can be switched in and out of the flow path from the airpump to the PID 134 as needed. In accordance with a further aspect ofthe present invention, a measurement could be taken with pre-filter 122selected in the air flow path and then another measurement could betaken with pre-filter 124 selected in the air flow path, with the otherpre-filters isolated. This will allow the measurement taken with thepre-filter 122 to be checked. If desired, another measurement could betaken with the pre-filter 126 in the air flow path as another check. Ifa discrepancy is detected between any of the measurements, then an alertcan be give that maintenance is needed. The air flow in this system isgoverned by manifolds 136 and 138, which are controlled so that only oneof the air flow paths is active at a time and so that the air flow pathswith a filter 122, 124 or 126 are only activated when use of one of thefilters 122, 124 or 126 is desired.

This system could be enhanced by operating it in conjunction with asecond, unfiltered PID, similar to the system shown in FIG. 4. In thiscase, a second PID with its own air pump could be operated in parallelwith the PID 134, similarly to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 4.Sensors 137 and alarms 139 provide the control system 135 with start andstop control signals for the diverter valves 136 and 138 and for the PID134.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, FIG. 6illustrates a system 140 having an air pump 141, a PID 142 and multiplepre-filters 144, 146 and 148. Each of the pre-filters 144, 146 and 148is controlled with a block valve 150, 152 and 154, respectively.Similarly, the outlet of each of the pre-filters 144, 146 and 148 isalso controlled with a block valve 156, 158 and 160, respectively. Adirect channel of air flow from the air pump 141 and the PID 142 is alsocontrolled with block valve 162.

This system operates similarly to the system of FIG. 5. Only one flowpath is enabled at one time so that only one pair of block valves 150and 156, 152 and 158, 154 and 160, or the single block valve 162 is opento air flow at a time. The control of the block valves is preferablyaccomplished through control signals issued by a computer 166. Sensors170 and alarms 172 provide input to the computer 166 through which thecomputer 166 generates the control signals.

This system could be enhanced by operating it in conjunction with asecond, unfiltered PID, similar to the system shown in FIG. 4.

A system of the configuration shown in FIG. 4 could be combined withadditional environmental and/or process measurements and a computersoftware application to predict the remaining service life of apre-filter. Such additional measurements would be taken in the vicinityof the pre-filter in question. Such additional measurements mightinclude, but would not be limited to, total VOC concentration, ambienttemperature, ambient humidity, flow rate through the pre-filter,duration the pre-filter has been in operation exposed to ambientairflow, etc. These measurements would be taken in real-time and atsufficient frequency to allow continuous modeling of the ambientconditions of operation of the pre-filter. This, in turn, would enablethe implementation of software calculations to estimate the remainingservice life of the pre-filter, for example, but not limited to,estimating the cumulative mass flow of VOCs passing through thepre-filter

A system of the configuration shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, having multiplepre-filters available for measurement usage, could be equipped with morethan one type of pre-filter installed and ready for service. This wouldenable switching from one type of pre-filter to another so as to measurethe specific concentration of more than one type of VOC, for examplebenzene and butadiene. Such switching could be done in quick succession,so as to monitor two or more distinct compounds known or suspected to bepresent at a given time; or it could be done independently, for examplebased on separate and independent triggering events or alarms.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the PID in FIGS.1-6 can be replaced with any type of VOC detector. Thus, in accordancewith one aspect of the present invention, a flame ionization detector(FID) can be used in place of the PID in each of FIGS. 1-6. Inaccordance with another aspect of the present invention, anelectrochemical detector (ECD) can be used in place of the PID in eachof FIGS. 1-6. In accordance with another aspect of the presentinvention, a spectrophotometer can be used in place of the PID in eachof FIGS. 1-6.

The present invention has applicability in various scenarios. Onescenario is the measurement of benzene concentration in real time. Thiscould be valuable in several industrial settings. For example, inhazardous waste remediation sites where VOCs are present in soil beingexcavated, monitoring for potential release of benzene into the air isimportant to successfully performing perimeter monitoring duties for theprotection of the public beyond the hazardous waste site. A commonlyoccurring situation are clean ups of manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites,which have coal tar residue in the soil. Monitoring for benzene atperimeter of petroleum refineries can also be important because thesesites can release small quantities of VOCs, including benzene in theirchemical process operations. A similar problem can exist at gasolinedistribution facilities including bulk terminals and retail servicestations. Alternatively, the invention could be used for work zonemonitoring to measure or estimate the exposure of workers to substancesof interest. Of course, the present invention can be used to determineconcentrations of VOCs other than benzene.

Various sensor arrangements can be used to control the valves of thepresent invention through a computerized control system. For example, anunfiltered detector (such as a PID) could be monitored against athreshold of 5 parts per million (ppm) for total VOCs. If that thresholdis reached, a pre-filtered PID could be triggered to monitor for benzeneover a period of 15 minutes, taking real-time measurements at afrequency of typically once every 5 seconds. Other frequencies ofmeasurements can be used. These measurements would be used to calculatethe average benzene concentration over the 15-minute interval. Thisaverage value could then be used to directly compare to a Short TermExposure Limit (STEL) over the 15-minute interval, or to extrapolate avalue to compare to a Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) applicable to an8-hour work shift. Acceptable values for STELs and PELs are defined byvarious regulations specific to environmental applications and settings.For example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)standards for benzene exposure for workers are: 5 ppm STEL for15-minutes, and 1 ppm PEL for 8-hours.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the PIDs and thecomputer control system of FIG. 4 can be used to estimate the usefulservice life of the pre-filter. A computer application can be configuredto measure various environmental parameters of interest, for example:flow rate through the continuously-unfiltered PID, total VOCconcentration through the continuously-unfiltered PID, VOC concentrationthrough the pre-filtered PID, cumulative duration of usage of thepre-filtered PID, and ambient temperature and humidity of the air in theimmediate vicinity of the PIDs. This computer application can beconfigured with an algorithm to use these measured parameters tocalculate the mass flow of air through the pre-filter and thus estimatethe amount of interfering VOCs trapped by the pre-filter. Thiscalculation can then be compared to the mass flow threshold forbreakthrough (failure) of the pre-filter when subjected to theinterfering VOCs. This comparison can be used to send an alarm or othernotification via the computer system regarding the status of pre-filterwith regard to its remaining useful service life.

I claim:
 1. A system for monitoring an environment, comprising: a firstvalve having an inlet that is adapted to receive air from theenvironment and a first and second outlet; a second valve having a firstand second inlet and an outlet, the first inlet being connected to thefirst outlet of the first valve; a pre-filter connected between thesecond outlet of the first valve and the first inlet of the secondvalve, the pre-filter selectively removing one or more compounds fromthe environment; a detector having an inlet connected to the outlet ofthe second valve, the detector determining a concentration of one ormore volatile organic compounds in real-time; wherein the first valveand the second valve are configured to either allow air flow from thefirst outlet of the first valve through the second valve to the detectoror from the second outlet of the first valve through the pre-filter tothe first inlet of the second valve to the detector.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the detector is a photo ionization detector.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the detector is a flame ionization detector.4. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is selected from thegroup consisting of a photo ionization detector, a flame ionizationdetector, a spectrophotometer and an electrochemical detector.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a computerized monitoring systemthat transmits one or more control signals to the first valve and thesecond valve to control positions of the first valve and the secondvalve.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a sensor connectedto the computerized monitoring system wherein a status of the sensordetermines the one or more control signals.
 7. The system of claim 1,comprising an air pump connected to the inlet of the first valve or tothe outlet of the detector.
 8. The system of claim 1, comprising asecond pre-filter having an inlet connected to a third outlet of thefirst valve and an outlet connected to a third inlet of the secondvalve, wherein the first valve and the second valve are configured toeither allow air flow from the first outlet of the first valve throughthe second valve to the detector or from the second outlet of the firstvalve through the pre-filter to the first inlet of the second valve tothe detector or from the third outlet of the first valve through thesecond pre-filter to the third inlet of the second valve to thedetector.
 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a thirdpre-filter having an inlet connected to a fourth outlet of the firstvalve and an outlet connected to a fourth inlet of the second valve,wherein the first valve and the second valve are configured to eitherallow air flow from the first outlet of the first valve through thesecond valve to the detector or from the second outlet of the firstvalve through the pre-filter to the first inlet of the second valve tothe detector or from the third outlet of the first valve through thesecond pre-filter to the third inlet of the second valve to the detectoror from the fourth outlet of the first valve through the thirdpre-filter to the fourth inlet of the second valve to the detector.